NCJ Number
105348
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: (1987) Pages: 11-19
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This discussion of the provision of forensic psychiatric services from the general hospital concludes that this approproach represents an innovative and important development in forensic psychiatry.
Abstract
This approach contrasts with traditional forensic psychiatry, in which programs have been located in the antitherapeutic environments of jails or have remained inaccessible in large, distant psychiatric hospitals. Such programs have been criticized for losing pace with more general psychiatric trends toward community mental health. The Calgary General Forensic Unit, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, illustrates the contrasting approach, which is based in the community mental health philosophy. The forensic unit is a 20-bed, locked security facility that receives pretrial, presentence, treatment, and parole cases. Most admissions are for pretrial assessments. The unit preserves patients' constitutional rights. It uses a preventive approach to security and thus a passive rather than an active security system. The unit represents a viable alternative to traditional forensic psychiatric delivery systems. 4 data tables and 12 references. (Author abstract modified)